Look out for coronavirus scams

As the coronavirus crisis goes on, criminals use the opportunity to commit fraud.

Fraud can be quite sophisticated, or very simple. Knowing what to look for will help you avoid being a victim of crime.

There are quite a few scams going around at the moment.

Fake personal protection items

Beware of people turning up on your doorstep and offering:

• face masks
• hand sanitiser
• coronavirus or COVID-19 tests

These people breaking the law by selling door to door. There’s also every chance that what you buy will be at best ineffective, and at worst dangerous.

Do not even open the door to them.

Fake charity workers

Beware of people knocking on your door pretending to be from a charity and asking for money.

Genuine charities are not allowed to work this way during the lockdown period. These people just want to take your money.

Do not even open the door to them.

Fake emails

Look out for emails that promise unlikely rewards for providing your personal information.

Recent examples include a message that pretends to be from the DWP. It claims that everyone can get money if they provide their details.

If something looks too good to be true, it almost certainly is. Check the facts on gov.uk before you click on any link. Delete the email if you’re unsure.

Report any suspicious contact immediately onwww.actionfraud.police.uk or phone 0300 123 2040